Russian Defense Ministry: Vostok-2018 exercise not aimed against NATO
The upcoming military exercises "Vostok-2018", the largest in Russia since 1981, are not aimed against NATO, Deputy Defense Minister Colonel General Alexander Fomin assured foreign military attaches on Thursday.
 |
| Russian exercise. |
It will be the largest military exercise in 37 years, involving nearly 300,000 troops, tens of thousands of armored vehicles, helicopters, planes and drones. The exercise will run from September 11 to 15, and will include Chinese and Mongolian units at one stage.
"Despite the fact that the exercises are held several thousand kilometers from Russia's western borders, unfortunately, there is false reporting in the Western media, saying that the Russian exercises are aimed against NATO countries and the European Union," Fomin said.
The general assured military attaches that "past and present Russian exercises do not show any signs of anti-NATO or aggressive orientation."
